Bengaluru: Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje recently inaugurated the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Silkworm Seed Organization (NSSO) under the Central Silk Board in Bengaluru, where she also released a special postal stamp commemorating the NSSO.
Speaking at the event, she said that only those with a futuristic mindset can establish institutions, recalling that after assuming office as Minister of Industries, post-Independence, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee established several industries and institutions across the country.
The Central Silk Board is a result of that vision, she said, praising the extent to which the organization has grown till date.
The Minister mentioned that India is now second in global silk production and extolled the industry for being a mega employment generator.
She also said that post-Independence, India was not self-reliant in many sectors, but today, Atmanirbharata had been realized to a very great extent.
Food production, dairy and vegetables were among these domains, where India had excelled, she observed, praising the country’s farmers for being the backbone of the national economy.
“We are currently importing edible oil worth ₹2.5 lakh crore every year. Similarly, we are importing about 10 percent of pulses and silk. The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented several special schemes to reduce this dependence,” she said, emphasizing that in order to double farmer incomes, quality seeds, technology, and price were essential.
“For entrepreneurs’ income to double, the products they manufacture must be of excellent quality. Only when we all work together in this direction can we increase the income of both farmers and entrepreneurs,” she believed.
Speaking of silk, the Minister said there was high demand for Indian silk not just domestically but abroad as well.
“We must leverage the vast opportunities available, to manufacture and export the best silk products. Any product manufactured must meet export quality standards; only then can it fetch a good price,” she advised.
“Karnataka produces 40 percent of India’s silk. This proportion must increase in the coming days. Mysuru Silk saris are witnessing high demand and capacity to produce more must be put in place,” she said.
Dr. C.N. Manjunath, MP, spoke on the significant role of farmers and scientists in nation-building.
He felt hopeful that if these professionals worked in line with the Prime Minister’s vision, the creation of Viksit Bharat 2047 would be effortlessly realised.
On the occasion, progressive farmers who grow quality silk, new entrepreneurs and officials known for administrative value addition were felicitated.
(This report was first published by the Press Information Bureau here)
